US Marine to be remembered in 70km walk to Achill Island

The family of an Irish-born US Marine who died two years ago along with six other marines in a training accident in Florida will be remembered in a moving event this Friday.

US Marine to be remembered in 70km walk to Achill Island on Friday

The family are planning a 70 km walk from Croagh Patrick to Achill finishing on the summit of the Minaun Heights on Achill Island.

Achill Island hold a special place for the family. Sergeant Liam Flynn’s mother is an island native and the family spent their summers there. On Sgt Flynn final visit to Ireland he climbed the summit of Minaun Heights.

The idea of the walk came about when the whole family got together at Christmas. They wanted to do something special to remember Flynn and the six other marines. They decided on a 70km walk, 10km for each of the marines.

The walk will start Friday morning 10th March at the base of Croagh Patrick and they plan to walk to Mulranny before breaking for the night. The family will be joined by extended family, friends and a couple of retired marines based in Dublin. They will carry with them flags representing Ireland, America and the Marine Corps.

Members of the public are invited to join them and the family would love to see as many people are possible to join them on Saturday for the final leg to up to Minaun Heights.

To find out more about the walk or follow its progress, check out their Facebook page